Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly,
to a structure for controlling the impedance and the inductance in electrical connectors
and for reducing the crosstalk in the connectors.
Background of the Invention
[0002] In today's high speed electronic equipment, it is desirable that all components of
an interconnection path be optimized for signal transmission characteristics, otherwise
the integrity of the system will be impaired or degraded. Such characteristics include
risetime degradation or system bandwidth, crosstalk, impedance control and propagation
delay. Ideally, an electrical connector would have little or no affect on the interconnection
system from these characteristics. In other words, the system would function as if
circuitry ran through the interconnection without any affect on the system. However,
such an ideal connector is impractical or impossible, and continuous efforts are made
to develop electrical connectors which have as little affect on the system as possible.
[0003] Impedance and inductance control are concerns in designing an ideal connector. This
is particularly true in electrical connectors for high speed electronic equipment,
i.e., involving high frequencies. An example of one such connector is called an "edge
card" connector. An edge connector is provided for receiving a printed circuit board
having a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads adjacent the edge. Such edge
connectors have an elongated housing defining an elongated receptacle or slot for
receiving the mating edge of the printed circuit board. A plurality of terminals are
spaced along one or both sides of the slot for engaging the contact pads adjacent
the mating edge of the board. In many applications, such edge connectors are mounted
on a second printed circuit board. The mating "edge" board commonly is called the
"daughter" board, and the board to which the connector is mounted is called the "mother"
board.
[0004] An example for an electrical edge card connector can be found in U.S. Patent US-A-5,071,371.
This edge card connector includes contacts of alternating sizes defining high and
low contact points. However, the connector is designed to alternatively receive a
16 bit or a 32 bit printed circuit card, wherein only the high contact points are
engaged when a 16 bit card is inserted.
[0005] However, the present invention is directed to a structure for tuning the impedance
of an electrical connector, such as an edge connector, so as to provide an interconnection
in an electrical circuit having a given impedance and tuning the connector to substantially
match that impedance. The invention also is directed to providing terminals for printed
circuit board mounted connectors which reduce the inductance of the connectors.
[0006] In addition, Cross-talk is a concern in designing an ideal connector, particularly
in an edge connector as described above. Heretofore, a myriad of attempts have been
made to control Cross-talk including installing ground planes in the connector, i.e.,
by providing some form or another of an integrated grounding structure. Most ground
plane systems add complexity to the connector, which results in additional expense.
This invention is directed to solving these problems by providing a simple, low cost,
low Cross-talk connector system while simultaneously controlling the impedance of
the connector. This is accomplished by providing significantly larger ground terminals
than signal terminals, thus optimizing the performance of each, in combination with
a particular alternating array of such terminals.
Summary of the Invention
[0007] An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a method and structure for tuning
the impedance of an electrical connector adapted for interconnection in an electrical
circuit having a given impedance.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide improved terminals for reducing the
inductance of an electrical connector, particularly a connector mounted to a printed
circuit board, thereby extending in-system bandwidth.
[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a system for reducing crosstalk in
an electrical connector.
[0010] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, generally, the connector includes a
dielectric housing for mounting a plurality of terminals, the housing having a receptacle
for receiving a complementary mating connector or electrical component. Specifically,
the invention is illustrated herein in an edge connector having a slot for receiving
the mating edge of a printed circuit board.
[0011] The invention contemplates a structure in which the terminals are provided with body
portions located in the housing and contact portions located at the receptacle or
slot for engaging appropriate terminals of the mating connector or printed circuit
board when inserted into the receptacle or slot. The body portions include mechanically
"functional" sections for mounting the terminals in the housing. The body portions
also include mechanically "non-functional" sections of a given area which effect a
given capacitance. The mechanically non-functional sections are trimmable to vary
the terminal area and thereby vary the capacitance to alter the connector's impedance
and to substantially match the given impedance of the electrical circuit.
[0012] As contemplated by the invention, the mechanically non-functional sections are provided
in the form of stubs which either can be trimmed to a given size and, therefore, a
given effective area, or the stubs can be completely broken away from the terminals.
[0013] In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the body portions of the terminals
include base portions and the functional sections of the body portions are in the
form of mounting tangs located in recesses in the housing for securing the terminals
in the housing. The mounting tangs and the contact portions project from the base
portions. The mechanically non-functional sections or stubs project from the base
portions and the stubs either can be trimmed to a given size or severed from the base
portions.
[0014] The connector includes both signal terminals and ground terminals mounted on the
housing and, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, a plurality of the signal
terminals and a plurality of the ground terminals are mounted on opposite sides of
the receptacle or slot for engaging contact pads on opposite sides of the printed
circuit board. The invention contemplates that the signal terminals and the ground
terminals be mounted in an alternating array along each side of the slot, with each
signal terminal being aligned with a ground terminal on the opposite side of the slot.
The ground terminals have significantly larger transverse areas than the signal terminals.
The enlarged ground terminals, in combination with the alternating array of signal
and ground terminals lengthwise and transversely of the slot, provides a simple and
effective system for reducing crosstalk in the connector. In essence, the ground terminals
"shadow" the signal terminals, thereby providing increased electrical isolation of
individual signal terminals from all other signal terminals.
[0015] Finally, the invention contemplates such an electrical connector as described above
wherein the connector is mounted on a printed circuit board having a common ground
circuit and a plurality of circuit traces forming portions of the common ground circuit.
At least one of the ground terminals has at least two grounding feet for engaging
a respective one of the circuit traces of the common ground circuit to establish a
multiple-point contact therewith.
[0016] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the
following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0017] The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with
particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and
the advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals
identify like elements in the figures and in which:
FIGURE 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an edge connector according to
the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the connector;
FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the connector;
FIGURE 4 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken generally along line 4-4
of Figure 2;
FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of one of the signal terminals as seen in Figure 4;
FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of one of the ground terminals as seen in Figure 4;
and
FIGURE 7 is a somewhat schematic illustration of the mounting array of signal and
ground terminals as seen in Figure 4.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0018] Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to Figures 1-3, the invention
is embodied in an edge connector, generally designated 10, for mounting on a printed
circuit board 11. Connector 10 is of a type of connector commonly called an "edge
card" connector in that it has receptacle means in the form of a slot 12 (Fig. 3)
for allowing insertion of a printed circuit card 13 into a contact area of the connector.
The inserted printed circuit card has a mating edge 15 and a plurality of contact
pads 17a, 17b adjacent the edge either on one or both sides of the board. Connector
10 is designed with terminals for engaging contact pads on both sides of the printed
circuit board adjacent the edge thereof.
[0019] Edge connectors such as connector 10 normally are elongated, as shown, and have rows
of spring contact element receiving cavities generally designated 22, spaced along
one or both sides of slot 12 lengthwise of a dielectric housing 16. As stated above,
connector 10 has spring contact elements spaced along slot 12 on both sides thereof
for engaging contact pads 17a, 17b on both sides of an inserted printed circuit card
13. It should be understood that the concepts of the invention are not limited to
edge connectors of the character described, and the invention can be embodied in a
wide variety of applicable electrical connectors.
[0020] With this understanding, dielectric housing 16 includes a plurality of standoffs
18 (Figs. 1-2) depending from the housing for engaging a surface of printed circuit
board 11. Often, the printed circuit board 11 is called a "mother board", and the
printed circuit card 13 which is inserted into slot 12 is called a "daughter board".
Dielectric housing 16 also includes a plurality of mounting or retention pegs 20 for
locating connector 10 on mother board 11 by inserting the pegs into appropriate mounting
holes 21 in the board.
[0021] Referring to Figure 4, housing 16 includes a plurality of transverse cavities, generally
designated 22, spaced longitudinally of slot 12 for receiving alternating differently
configured terminals, as described hereinafter. Each cavity 22 has a cavity portion
22a on one side of slot 12 (the left-hand side as viewed in Figure 4) and a cavity
portion 22b on the opposite side of the slot (the righthand side as viewed in Figure
4). Cavities 22 are separated lengthwise of elongated housing 16 by walls or partitions
which include wall portions 24a separating cavity portions 22a and wall portions 24b
separating cavity portions 22b. In addition, cavity portions 22a and 22b are separated
longitudinally of housing 16 by a center partition 23 at the bottom of cavity 22.
[0022] Lastly, housing 16 includes a plurality of recesses or holes 26a and 26b outside
of cavity portions 22a and 22b, respectively, and generally in transverse alignment,
for purposes described below. Each recess or hole 26a, 26b has a mouth 27 opening
at the bottom of housing 16. The entire housing is unitarily molded of dielectric
material such as plastic or the like.
[0023] Generally, a plurality of terminals are mounted on housing 16, spaced longitudinally
of the housing and corresponding to the plurality of transversely aligned cavity portions
22a, 22b and holes 26a, 26b. Before describing the terminals in detail, it should
be understood that the printed circuit board (i.e. the daughter board) which is inserted
into slot 12 often has a plurality of contact pads defining two rows of pads along
the edge of the board on each side of the board, i.e., the mating edge which is inserted
into the slot. One row of contact pads on each side of the board is located near the
absolute edge of the board, and the other row of contact pads on each side of the
board is spaced inwardly from the one row. Therefore, conventionally, terminals are
located on housing 16 with contact elements alternating lengthwise of the housing
for alternatingly engaging the contact pads in the two rows thereof along opposite
sides of the mating edge of the printed circuit board.
[0024] More particularly, referring to Figures 1 and 4-7, terminals, generally designated
28 and 30, are mounted on housing 16 in an alternating array lengthwise of the housing;
there being an alternating array of terminals 28 and 30 on each opposite side of slot
12 (i.e., on each opposite side of the daughter board). In other words, terminals
28 alternate between adjacent terminals 30 lengthwise of slot 12 and on both sides
of the slot. In addition, as clearly seen in Figure 4, terminals 28 and 30 alternate
transversely of the slot. As shown in Figure 1, each terminal 28 is aligned with a
terminal 30 to create a pair of terminals, these terminals are then reversed with
each alternating pair.
[0025] Terminals 28 are signal terminals and are adapted for engaging contact pads 17a of
signal circuit traces on the daughter board as well as signal terminal traces on mother
board 11. As shown in Figure 1, contact pads 17a connected to the signal traces are
adjacent edge 15 of edge card 13. Specifically, referring to Figures 4 in conjunction
with Figure 5, each signal terminal 28 includes a body portion, generally designated
32, and a spring contact portion 34. Body portion 32 includes a base portion 36, a
locking leg section 38 projecting upwardly from the base portion on the outside (relative
to the card slot 12) of contact portion 34, and a mechanically non-functional section
40 projecting upwardly from the base portion on the inside (relative to the card slot)
of contact portion 34. Locking leg section 38 is provided with barbs 42 whereby the
locking leg can be press fit into a respective hole 26a for mounting terminal 28 on
housing 16 by inserting locking leg 38 through mouth 27 of the respective hole 26a.
Mechanically non-functional section 40 is provided in the form of a stub (as shown)
connected to base portion 36 at a narrow area 44. A solder tail 46 projects downwardly
from base portion 36 for insertion into a hole in mother board 11 and for electrical
soldered interconnection with a signal trace either on the board or in a hole in the
board. Such solder tail and mother board could be modified to permit surface mounting
as is known in the industry.
[0026] The invention contemplates a method and a structure for tuning the impedance of electrical
connector 10 which is interconnected in an electrical circuit having a given predetermined
impedance. With connector 10 being an edge connector, the electrical circuit would
be defined by the circuitry on the mother and daughter printed circuit boards. As
generally stated in the "Background" above, an ideal connector would be "transparent"
so as to have as little affect on the circuit as possible. Therefore, the invention
is directed to concepts for "tuning" or initially modifying the impedance of electrical
connector 10 to match the given impedance of the interconnection system or the electrical
circuit in which the connector is interconnected.
[0027] The given impedance often is called the "characteristic" impedance of a circuit and
usually is known. For instance, a manufacturer of electrical connectors often is provided
by a customer with a characteristic impedance value of the circuit within which the
customer is going to interconnect the particular connector. The customer typically
desires a connector that will match the impedance of the circuit in order to minimize
its affect on the circuit.
[0028] Even if this situation is not present, the impedance of any circuit can be measured
by various means, such as a time domain reflectometer which utilizes an electric analog
to a radar system, as well as other measuring or analyzing devices. The impedance
of any particular connector similarly can be measured in an input-output manner, again
by using such instruments as the time domain reflectometer. If the impedance of the
connector does not match the impedance of the interconnecting circuit, the present
invention contemplates a method and structure for tuning or modifying the impedance
of the connector during or prior to assembly thereof in order to substantially match
the impedance of the circuit as closely as possible.
[0029] Specifically, reference is made again to Figures 4 and 5 and the mechanically non-functional
sections or stubs 40 of signal terminals 28. Upon determining the desired characteristic
impedance of the connector during the design phase of manufacturing the connector,
a desired surface area for the stubs 40 can be calculated. Upon building prototypes
to these dimensions, the exact desired area can then be determined by testing. The
dies utilized for manufacturing the terminals 28 can be modified so as to trim or
cut stubs 40 to the desired dimension. In fact, if desired, the entire stub 40 can
be severed from terminal 28 by cutting the stub off at narrow area 44. In this manner,
the entire area of signal terminals 28 can be varied by trimming stubs 40 whereupon
the capacitance is varied. By varying the capacitance, the connector can be "tuned"
to the given impedance of the electrical circuit, as determined above. The dimension
of such stubs 40 is thus set during the stamping process. The terminals 28, and likewise
terminals 30, are inserted into housing 16 from the bottom in a manner known as "bottom-loading."
[0030] Referring to Figure 6 in conjunction with Figure 4, terminals 30 are ground terminals
and are adapted for interconnection between ground circuit traces on the mother and
daughter printed circuit boards. Each ground terminal 30 includes a body portion,
generally designated 48, and a spring contact portion 50. Body portion 48 includes
a base portion 52 having a locking leg 54 with barbs 42 for insertion upwardly through
mouth 27 into hole 26b to mount the respective ground terminal on housing 16. Each
ground terminal also includes an enlarged surface area portion 56 projecting upwardly
from base portion 52 and terminating in spring contact portion 50. A solder tail 57
projects downwardly from base portion 52 for insertion into a hole in mother board
11 and for electrical soldered interconnection with a ground trace either on the board
or in a hole in the board.
[0031] The invention contemplates that ground terminals 30 have significantly larger transverse
areas than signal terminals 28. This can be seen by comparing the ground terminals
in Figures 4 and 6 with the signal terminals in Figures 4 and 5. The significantly
larger areas of the ground terminals are afforded by the enlarged surface area portions
56 of the ground terminals.
[0032] In essence, by combining the enlarged ground terminals with the alternating array
of the signal terminals and ground terminals as described above in relation to Figures
4 and 7, the ground terminals effectively "shadow" the signal terminals and thereby
provide increased electrical isolation, significantly reducing the crosstalk of connector
10 in a very simple and efficient manner.
[0033] The invention also contemplates a structure for reducing the inductance of electrical
connector 10, with the connector mounted to a mother board 11 wherein individual ground
traces on the board all are part of a common ground circuit, as is found in many edge
connectors. Therefore, it would be desirable to reduce the inductance through ground
terminals 30 to the common ground circuit.
[0034] More particularly, referring again to Figure 4, it can be seen that each ground terminal
30 has a foot 60 for surface engaging a ground circuit trace on mother board 11. This
additional foot and solder tail 57, are provided for engaging a common ground circuit
on mother board 11. It should be noted that, although foot 60 is illustrated for surface
mounting to the mother board, the foot could be a second solder tail for insertion
into another hole in the printed circuit board. Similarly, solder tails 46 and 57
for signal terminals 28 and ground terminals 30, respectively, both could be feet
for surface mounting to circuit traces on the printed circuit board.
[0035] By providing two points of contact supplied by foot 60 and solder tail 57, a larger
contact surface area is provided for engaging the common ground circuit on the printed
circuit board. The larger contact surface area reduces the voltage drop and reduces
the inductance between a respective ground terminal and the common ground circuit
on the printed circuit board. This structure improves the effectiveness of the ground
terminals which is particularly important in achieving increased bandwidth and reducing
ground bounce in high speed connectors. By spacing the points of contact apart from
each other, an area of the board, between the points of contact, is left open to facilitate
routing various other circuit traces on the board.
[0036] Finally, it can be seen in Figure 4 that spring contact portions 34 of signal terminals
28 are located "deeper" within slot 12 than spring contact portions 50 of ground terminals
30. These differential locations enable the alternating terminals to engage two rows
of contact pads on the daughter board, as described above. It can be seen that spring
contact portions 34 and 50 extend transversely into slot 12. When the daughter printed
circuit board 13 is inserted into the slot in the direction of arrow "A", the spring
contact portions will be biased transversely outwardly while in engagement with the
contact pads in two rows along the mating edge of the printed circuit board, the signal
contact pads 17a being located nearer the absolute edge of the board than the ground
contact pads 17b.
1. An edge connector (10) for a printed circuit board (13) having a mating edge and a
plurality of signal and ground contact pads (17a, 17b) adjacent the edge, the connector
(10) including an elongated dielectric housing (16) having a board-receiving slot
(12) for receiving the mating edge of the printed circuit board (13), a plurality
of signal terminals (28) and a plurality of ground terminals (30) mounted on the housing,
the terminals having body portions (32, 48) located in the housing and spring contact
portions (34, 50) extending into the slot for contacting respective ones of the contact
pads on the printed circuit board (13), said signal terminals (28) and ground terminals
(30) being positioned in an alternating array along each side of the slot means, with
each signal terminal (28) being aligned with a ground terminal (30) or each ground
terminal (30) being aligned with a signal terminal (28) on opposite transverse sides
of the slot (12),
characterized in that
the body portions (48) of the ground terminals (30) include base portions (52)
and enlarged surface area portions (56) projecting from the base portions (52), such
that the ground terminals (30) having significantly larger transverse areas than the
signal terminals (28), wherein the spring contact portions (50) of the ground terminals
(30) are projecting from the enlarged surface area portions (56).
2. An edge connector (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body portions (48) of
the ground terminals (30) have significantly larger areas than the body portions (32)
of the signal terminals (28).
3. An edge connector (10) as set forth in claims 1 or 2, wherein the body portions (48)
of the ground terminals (30) include mounting barbs (54) projecting from the base
portions (52) for securing the terminals in the housing (16).
4. An edge connector (10) as set forth in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the connector (10)
is adapted for mounting on a mother printed circuit board (11) having a common ground
circuit and a plurality of circuit traces forming portions of the common ground circuit,
and wherein said ground terminals have at least two grounding portions (57, 60) for
engaging the common ground circuit to establish a multiple-point contact therewith.
5. An edge connector (10) as set forth in claim 4, wherein an area of the mother printed
circuit board (11), between the points of contact is left open to facilitate routing
various other circuit traces on the mother board (11).
6. An edge connector (10) as set forth in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said terminals
comprise stubs (40) which can be trimmed to a given size.
7. An edge connector (10) as set forth'in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said terminals
comprise mechanically non-functional sections comprising stubs (40) which can be broken
away from the terminals.
8. An edge connector as set forth in one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said terminals comprise
mounting portions including mounting legs located in recesses (26a, 26b) in the housing
(16) for securing the terminals (28, 30) in the housing (16).
9. An edge connector (10) as set forth in claim 8, wherein the contact portions (34,
50) and the mounting portions (38, 54) project from the body portions (32, 48).
10. An edge connector (10) as set forth in claim 9, wherein said mounting portions (38,
54) and said contact portions (34, 50) project from one side of the body portions
(32, 48), the mounting portions (38, 54) being located outside the contact portions
(34, 50) and said slot (12), and said mechanically non-functional sections include
stubs (40) projecting from the body portions (32, 48) inside the contact portions
(34, 50).
11. An edge connector system comprising:
a printed circuit board (13) having a mating edge and a plurality of signal and ground
contact pads (17a, 17b) adjacent the edge and
a connector (10) including an elongated dielectric housing (16) having a board-receiving
slot (12) for receiving the mating edge of the printed circuit board (13), a plurality
of signal terminals (28) and a plurality of ground terminals (30) mounted on the housing,
the terminals having body portions (32, 48) located in the housing and spring contact
portions (34, 50) extending into the slot for contacting respective ones of the contact
pads on the printed circuit board (13), said signal terminals (28) and ground terminals
(30) being positioned in an alternating array along each side of the slot means, with
each signal terminal (28) being aligned with a ground terminal (30) or each ground
terminal (30) being aligned with a signal terminal (28) on opposite transverse sides
of the slot (12), characterized in that the ground terminals (30) having significantly larger transverse areas than the signal
terminals (28),
the signal terminals are adapted for engaging the contact pads (17a) of signal circuit
traces on the printed circuit board (13) and
the ground terminals are adapted for interconnection between ground circuit traces
on the printed circuit board (13).
1. Leiterplattenrandverbinder (10) für eine gedruckte Schaltungskarte (13) mit einem
Anschlussrand und einer Mehrzahl von Signal- und Erdungskontaktflecken (17a, 17b)
angrenzend an den Rand, wobei der Verbinder (10) ein längliches dielektrisches Gehäuse
(16) mit einem Kartenaufnahmeschlitz (12) zur Aufnahme des Anschlussrandes der gedruckten
Schaltungskarte (13) aufweist, eine Mehrzahl von Signalanschlüssen (28) und eine Mehrzahl
von Erdungsanschlüssen (30), die an dem Gehäuse befestigt sind, wobei die Anschlüsse
Rumpfabschnitte (32, 48) aufweisen, die in dem Gehäuse angeordnet sind, sowie Federkontaktabschnitte
(34, 50), die sich in den Schlitz hinein erstrecken, um die jeweiligen Kontaktflecken
auf der gedruckten Schaltungskarte (13) zu kontaktieren, wobei die Signalanschlüsse
(28) und die Erdungsanschlüsse (30) in abwechselnder Anordnung entlang jeder Seite
der Schlitzeinrichtung angeordnet sind, wobei jeder Signalanschluss (28) mit einem
Erdungsanschluss (30) ausgerichtet ist oder jeder Erdungsanschluss (30) mit einem
Signalanschluss (28) ausgerichtet ist, und zwar auf quer gegenüberliegenden Seiten
des Schlitzes (12),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Rumpfabschnitte (48) der Erdungsanschlüsse (30) Basisabschnitte (52) und Abschnitte
(56) mit verbreiterter Oberfläche, die von den Basisabschnitten (52) nach oben ragen,
aufweisen, sodass die Erdungsanschlüsse (30) deutlich größere Querflächen als die
Signalanschlüsse (28) aufweisen, wobei die Federkontaktabschnitte (50) der Erdungsanschlüsse
(30) von den Abschnitten (56) mit vergrößerter Oberfläche vorragen.
2. Leiterplattenrandverbinder (10) nach Anspruch 1, bei welchem die Rumpfabschnitte (48)
der Erdungsanschlüsse (30) wesentlich größere Flächen als die Rumpfabschnitte (32)
der Signalanschlüsse (28) aufweisen.
3. Leiterplattenrandverbinder (10) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei welchem die Rumpfabschnitte
(48) der Erdungsanschlüsse (30) Befestigungszacken (54) aufweisen, die von den Basisabschnitten
(52) vorragen, um die Anschlüsse in dem Gehäuse (16) zu befestigen.
4. Leiterplattenrandverbinder (10) nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, bei welchem der Verbinder
(10) zur Montage auf einer Hauptplatine (11) mit gedruckter Schaltung angepasst ist,
die eine gemeinsame Erdungsschaltung und eine Mehrzahl von Schaltungsspuren, welche
Teile der gemeinsamen Erdungsschaltung bilden, aufweist; und bei welchem die Erdungsanschlüsse
mindestens zwei Erdungsabschnitte (57, 60) zum Angreifen an die gemeinsame Erdungsschaltung
aufweisen, um einen Mehrpunktkontakt mit dieser herzustellen.
5. Leiterplattenrandverbinder (10) nach Anspruch 4, bei welchem eine Fläche der Hauptplatine
(11) mit gedruckter Schaltung zwischen den Kontaktpunkten offen gelassen wird, um
die Verlegung verschiedener anderer Schaltungsspuren auf der Hauptplatine (11) zu
erleichtern.
6. Leiterplattenrandverbinder (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, bei welchem die
Anschlüsse Stümpfe (40) umfassen, die auf eine gegebene Größe angepasst werden können.
7. Leiterplattenrandverbinder (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, bei welchem die
Anschlüsse mechanisch nicht funktionale Abschnitte umfassen, die Stümpfe (40) umfassen,
welche von den Anschlüssen abgebrochen werden können.
8. Leiterplattenrandverbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, bei welchem die Anschlüsse
Montageabschnitte einschließlich Montageschenkeln umfassen, die in Ausnehmungen (26a,
26b) in dem Gehäuse (16) angeordnet sind, um die Anschlüsse (28, 30) in dem Gehäuse
(16) zu befestigen.
9. Leiterplattenrandverbinder (10) nach Anspruch 8, bei welchem die Kontaktabschnitte
(34, 50) und die Montageabschnitte (38, 54) von den Rumpfabschnitten (32, 48) vorragen.
10. Leiterplattenrandverbinder (10) nach Anspruch 9, bei welchem die Montageabschnitte
(38, 54) und die Kontaktabschnitte (34, 50) von einer Seite der Rumpfabschnitte (32,
48) vorragen, wobei die Montageabschnitte (38, 54) außenseitig der Kontaktabschnitte
(34, 50) und des Schlitzes (12) angeordnet sind und wobei die mechanisch nicht funktionalen
Abschnitte Stümpfe (40) umfassen, die von den Rumpfabschnitten (32, 48) innenseitig
der Kontaktabschnitte (34, 50) vorragen.
11. System mit Leiterplattenrandverbinder, umfassend:
eine gedruckte Schaltungskarte (13) mit einem Anschlussrand und einer Mehrzahl von
Signal- und Erdungskontaktflecken (17a, 17b) angrenzend an den Rand, und
einen Verbinder (10), der ein längliches dielektrisches Gehäuse mit einem Kartenaufnahmeschlitz
(12) zur Aufnahme des Anschlussrandes der gedruckten Schaltungskarte (13) aufweist,
eine Mehrzahl von Signalanschlüssen (28) und eine Mehrzahl von Erdungsanschlüssen
(30), die an dem Gehäuse montiert sind, wobei die Anschlüsse Rumpfabschnitte (32,
48) aufweisen, die in dem Gehäuse angeordnet sind, sowie Federkontaktabschnitte (34,
50) die sich in den Schlitz hinein erstrecken, um jeweilige Kontaktflecken auf der
gedruckten Schaltungskarte (13) zu kontaktieren, wobei die Signalanschlüsse (28) und
die Erdungsanschlüsse (30) entlang jeder Seite der Schlitzeinrichtung in abwechselnder
Anordnung positioniert sind, wobei jeder Signalanschluss (28) mit einem Erdungsanschluss
(30) ausgerichtet ist oder jeder Erdungsanschluss (30) mit einem Signalanschluss (28)
ausgerichtet ist, und zwar auf quer gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Schlitzes (12),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Erdungsanschlüsse (30) wesentlich größere Querflächen als die Signalanschlüsse
(28) aufweisen;
die Signalanschlüsse zum Angreifen an Kontaktflecken (17a) von Signalschaltungsspuren
auf der gedruckten Schaltungskarte (13) angepasst sind; und dass
die Erdungsanschlüsse zur Verbindung mit Erdungsschaltungsspuren auf der gedruckten
Schaltungskarte (13) angepasst sind.
1. Connecteur (10) de carte enfichable pour une carte à circuit imprimé (13) comportant
un bord d'accouplement et une pluralité de plots de contact (17a, 17b) de signaux
et de masse adjacents au bord, le connecteur (10) incluant un boîtier diélectrique
allongé (16) comportant une fente (12) de réception de carte destinée à recevoir le
bord d'accouplement de la carte à circuit imprimé (13), une pluralité de bornes (28)
de signaux et une pluralité de bornes (30) de masse montées sur le boîtier, les bornes
comportant des parties (32, 48) de corps situées dans le boîtier et des parties (34,
50) de contact à ressort s'étendant dans la fente pour contact de certains, respectifs,
des plots de contact de la carte à circuit imprimé (13), lesdites bornes (28) de signaux
et lesdites bornes (30) de masse étant placées suivant un groupement alterné le long
de chaque côté du moyen formant fente, chaque borne (28) de signaux étant alignée
avec une borne (30) de masse, ou bien chaque borne (30) de masse étant alignée avec
une borne (28) de signaux sur les côtés opposés transversaux de la fente (12),
caractérisé en ce que
les parties (48) de corps des bornes (30) de masse comprennent des parties (52)
de base et des parties à superficie agrandie (56) en saillie des parties (52) de base,
de sorte que les bornes (30) de masse ont des superficies transversales significativement
plus grandes que les bornes (28) de signaux, dans lequel les parties (50) de contact
à ressort des bornes (30) de masse font saillie des parties à superficie agrandie
(56).
2. Connecteur (10) de carte enfichable selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les parties
(48) de corps des bornes (30) de masse ont des superficies significativement plus
grandes que les parties (32) de corps des bornes (28) de signaux.
3. Connecteur (10) de carte enfichable selon les revendications 1 ou 2, dans lequel les
parties (48) de corps des bornes (30) de masse comprennent des barbes (54) de montage
en saillie des parties (52) de base pour fixation des bornes dans le boîtier (16).
4. Connecteur (10) de carte enfichable selon les revendications 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel
le connecteur (10) est conçu pour montage sur une carte à circuit imprimé mère (11)
comportant un circuit de masse commun et une pluralité de rubans de circuit formant
des parties du circuit de masse commun, et dans lequel lesdites bornes de masse comportent
au moins deux parties (57, 60) de masse servant à engager le circuit de masse commun
pour établir un contact multipoint avec celui-ci.
5. Connecteur (10) de carte enfichable selon la revendication 4, dans lequel une zone
de la carte à circuit imprimé mère (11), entre les points de contact, est laissée
dégagée pour faciliter le passage de divers autres rubans de circuit sur la carte
mère (11).
6. Connecteur (10) de carte enfichable selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel
lesdites bornes comprennent des ergots (40) qui peuvent être découpés à une taille
donnée.
7. Connecteur (10) de carte enfichable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
6, dans lequel lesdites bornes comprennent des sections mécaniquement non fonctionnelles
comprenant des ergots (40) qui peuvent être cassés des bornes.
8. Connecteur (10) de carte enfichable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
7, dans lequel lesdites bornes comprennent des parties de montage incluant des jambes
de montage situées dans des évidements (26a, 26b) du boîtier (16) pour fixation des
bornes (28, 30) dans le boîtier (16).
9. Connecteur (10) de carte enfichable selon la revendication 8, dans lequel les parties
(34, 50) de contact et les parties (38, 54) de montage font saillie des parties (32,
48) de corps.
10. Connecteur (10) de carte enfichable selon la revendication 9, dans lequel lesdites
parties (38, 54) de montage et lesdites parties (34, 50) de contact font saillie d'un
côté des parties (32, 48) de corps, les parties (38, 54) de montage étant situées
à l'extérieur des parties (34, 50) de contact et de ladite fente (12), et lesdites
sections mécaniquement non fonctionnelles comprennent des ergots (40) en saillie des
parties (32, 48) de corps à l'intérieur des parties (34, 50) de contact.
11. Système de connecteur de carte enfichable, comprenant :
une carte à circuit imprimé (13) comportant un bord d'accouplement et plusieurs plots
de contact (17a, 17b) de signaux et de masse adjacents au bord, et
un connecteur (10) incluant un boîtier diélectrique allongé (16) comportant une fente
(12) de réception de carte destinée à recevoir le bord d'accouplement de la carte
à circuit imprimé (13), une pluralité de bornes (28) de signaux et une pluralité de
bornes (30) de masse montées sur le boîtier, les bornes comportant des parties (32,
48) de corps situées dans le boîtier et des parties (34, 50) de contact à ressort
s'étendant dans la fente pour contact de certains, respectifs, des plots de contact
de la carte à circuit imprimé (13), lesdites bornes (28) de signaux et lesdites bornes
(30) de masse étant placées suivant un groupement alterné le long de chaque côté du
moyen formant fente, chaque borne (28) de signaux étant alignée avec une borne (30)
de masse, ou bien chaque borne (30) de masse étant alignée avec une borne (28) de
signaux, sur les côtés opposés transversaux de la fente (12), caractérisé en ce que les bornes (30) de masse ont des superficies transversales significativement plus
grandes que les bornes (28) de signaux,
en ce que les bornes de signaux sont aptes à engager les plots (17a) de contact des rubans
de circuit de signaux de la carte à circuit imprimé (13), et
en ce que les bornes de masse sont prévues pour interconnexion entre des rubans de circuit
de masse de la carte à circuit imprimé (13).